L’Observateur / September 27, 1999

DESTREHAN – Three arrests were quickly made following the robbery late Monday night of the Winn-Dixie supermarket on Airline Highway.

“Everything went well, and nobody got hurt,” Capt. Patrick Yoes of the St.Charles Sheriff’s Office commented.

In addition to the initial arrests, two more arrests were made later in the week, and charges were dropped against one suspect arrested after the robbery, Yoes added on Thursday.

At 11:27 p.m., Yoes reported in the revised account, Gerald Walden, 20,3705 Apt. B, Simone Gardens, Metairie, entered the store and told themanager to show him the location of certain medication at the rear of the store, allegedly distracting him from the front.

With the manager out of the way, Yoes continued, Michael Labit, 22, 2308 Houma Blvd. Apt. 603, Metairie, entered the store, knocked on the officedoor and pushed two workers to the floor while pointing a gun at them.

Labit snatched up several cash boxes and fled the store, jumping into a waiting car.

The car sped from the scene, leaving Walden behind. Alert employees,including a parking lot security guard, got a description and license plate of the suspect vehicle.

The alleged getaway driver, Leslie Hirstius, 41, 131 Melrose Drive, Destrehan, was picked up early Tuesday morning, and Labit was found Thursday. Meanwhile, Walden was detained at the store by suspiciousemployees.

Walden, Labit and Hirstius were each charged with armed robbery and remain at the St. Charles Correctional Center on a $500,000 bond, set by29th Judicial District Judge Kirk Granier.

Also arrested was Tina K. Thompson, 20, 3705 Simone Gardens Apt. B,Metairie, charged with being an accessory after the fact of armed robbery.

Yoes said she hadknowledge of the robbery to be held and failed to tell authorities. She is being held on a $10,000 bond.Sheriff Greg C. Champagne commented, “We were able to take quick actiondue to good police work and witness cooperation. I’d like to congratulatethem for an outstanding job and credit the witnesses for providing the pertinent information.”John W. Adams Jr., 19, 3808 Riverland Drive, Chalmette, was identifiedearlier in the week as the alleged gunman in the robbery. However, Yoesclarified on Thursday that Adams was charged due to an incorrect identification, and he was not involved with the robbery. Adams was heldfor outstanding warrants in another parish.

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